Ang Kuwento ni Mabuti (2013)

Ang Kwento Ni Mabuti is a 2013 Filipino drama film and the official entry to the first CineFilipino Film Festival. Not to be confused with the Filipino literary classic by Genoveva Edroza-Matute, De Guzman’s film is actually a morality tale about Mabuti, a faith healer who maintains a positive outlook in life despite her poverty. But that was until she found herself in a moral dilemma after accidentally finding a bag containing P5 million in cash that could bring an end to her family’s problems.

The film was the first collaboration of the award winning actress Nora Aunor and the award winning director Mes de Guzman. The film was shot entirely in Aritao, Nueva Viscaya. The dialogue of the film is entirely in Ilocano, to give the film its authenticity with English subtitles.

The film was also top-grosser of the first CineFilipino Film Festival.

Synopsis

Mabuti de la Cruz, is a 58-year-old healer who lives in poverty-stricken Sitio Kasinggan in Nueva Vizcaya with her surly mother, Guyang (Josephina Estabillo), luckless son Ompong (Arnold Reyes), loveless daughter Angge (Mara Lopez), and her four fatherless granddaughters. Although she came from the impoverished family, Mabuti still look up life in a positive way. Life is hard, but that doesn’t stop the cash-strapped but cheerful grandmother from basking in the simple pleasures of barrio life. Life was always simple for Mabuti until an unexpected twist changed her perception and found herself in a moral dilemma.

Acteurs